I would like to get some 17" wheels on my 3rd gen for road racing next year and have come across some SS/ZR1 wheels for sale locally.
I know lots of people run wheels with these offsets using the VB bolt-on spacers for casual use, but would these hold up fine for racing? Or would it be best to get wheels with the proper front offset? I'll be swapping in a 4th gen rear so the backs won't be a problem. Thanks.

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1996 Camaro SS #C117
Former 3rd gens: 1985 Z28, 1987 GTA

 

Absolutely without a doubt they are NOT safe for road racing. Plus they're simply a bad idea from a handling standpoint. One of the worst things you can do is keep moving the knuckle away from the center line of the wheel and that's exactly what they do.

 

I talked to vette brakes about durability before I purchased my spacers. They told me that cars are using these spacers for SCCA events. Based on that claim, Id say theyre pretty safe. They arent like a conventional spacer, these mount on the hub, and by using a different offset wheel ie the Z-R1 wheel you compensate that spacing difference. Id give them a call. Ive had mine for 3 years now and had no problems, drive the car everywhere.

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1987 GTA 355 inch motor, carbureted, TFS 23* heads, T-56 6-speed, McLeod clutch, 11.3:1, Lunati hydraulic roller .510/.525 lift 232/242 duration @.050 on a 112* lobe seperation, Hooker super comps, Dual 3" flowmaster 2-chamber exhaust with NO tailpipes, 98 Z-28 wheels, Strange 12-bolt rear w/4.30 gears, 33 spline axles and a spool.
This car is driven on average 100 miles weekly... ...Whatever turns your tires.....

 

Two contradicting answers and I'm still on the fence. The guy still has the wheels for sale.

Anyone have experience running these spacers (the 2.25" Vette Brake ones) up front and going through a season of road racing? Any horror stories? I've seen guys use them at Autocrossing but that's a little different still. Hmm.

[This message has been edited by Ih8myZ28 (edited August 28, 2001).]

 

Of course it would be best to get wheels with the correct offset. However most of us dont have that option so we have to do the spacer thang. Skulte uses acorn styly lugs holes for a better fit. There was a good post a while ago where somebody was asking if they were safe and one of the members said Sure. All u are doing is extending the axle. The contact patch remains the same. Im no expert but I do have a set of Skultes adapters and run them hard with no problems.

Who ever posted that article speak up!

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1986 Black & Gold WS6
Trans AM...The Muscle Car Lives
...Its just not at home at the moment...

Nosaints Coolzone

[This message has been edited by nosaint (edited August 28, 2001).]

 

Please take a look at http://www.skulte.com/adapterfaq.html (also listed here on thirdgen.org in the tech section, I believe). It explains why billet adapters are safe, and how they differ among the different styles. Just for a reference, we roadrace our 3800 lb twin turbo Camaro on adapters, and have never had any problems. Nor have I heard of anything from others.

I agree that moving the centerline of the wheel will add unplanned stresses to the steering knuckle and bearings. However, the adapters in most cases allow you to move the centerline to the proper location, since most folks are attempting to run wheels with much higher offsets. The adapters will bring the offset back to a similar to stock location. I'm running the 17x11/9.5 ZR1 rim combination, and have never had any noticeable wear on the bearings. Just my few cents!

Andris, off to Watkins Glen for two days of driving school! Woo hoo!